This article pretty much says B-Max and C-Max will be replaced by crossover versions of the Fiesta and Focus:http://www.carsuk.net/ford-uk-europe-job-cuts-more-suvs-and-maybe-the-end-of-b-max-c-max/

 

I was on the verge of buying a B max until I joined this forum, I wrote to the dealer stating I wasn't going ahead with the deal as the powershift was crap and that production of the car was being stopped. He replied saying he could help in any way get in touch .. he didn't say the was still going to be in production after September.

 

Production of all cars stops eventually. The B Max has been in production now for 4 years and is being replaced by a Fiesta derivative. No different really from calli g it a B Max mk2.

It's really no big deal and no different to Ford introducing a mk 7 or mk 8 Fiesta. Yes, some people will want to wait for the new model and pay a high price for it, whilst others will negotiate a good bargain on the outgoing model.

 

I'd love to be there, invisible, when a potential client "armed with the knowledge from this topic" will try to negociate the buying of a new B-MAX based on the "information" that this car will soon not be produced any more!.. :>
Of course, I am aware of the possibility that I should be "fighting for a lost cause".., but just imagining the first scene fills me with satisfaction and I can't stop from loughing because of that. )

I was looking for B-MAX for an year and nine months (yes.., that long took me since I heard of this car until I bought it). During this time, about an year ago, I noticed that a big dealer sells his both B-MAXes. That was the first time it came to my mind that B-MAX "is close to extintion". In fact there was a pure commercial decision not envolving any forseen scenario. :>

 

Just picked up a brochure for the new Fiesta, (damn expensive car if you go for the top model) the Fiesta Active isn't in it yet, it seems that it will be an addition to the range later on and from what I have read it does look like it will be a replacement for the B-Max.

I will have the chance to speak with a Ford sales rep next week I will see what I can find out.


Cheers John

 

Doubt that the Ford sales rep knows any more than we do.

 

Perhaps there will be some cheap clutch packs for us powershift sufferers.I'm on my third clutch pack at 29000 miles at £1200 each - kerching!!!

 

"Regarding the B-Max, it will continue to be produced as long as there is demand for it, said Ana-Maria TimiÅ, communication manager of Ford. "We are talking about small volumes, but we'll not abandon this model," said Timis."


I know the statement is more than an year old and Ford sometimes change their mind, but I've just discovered it.

The source:http://www.capital.ro/ford-mizeaza-pe-suv-urile-mici-fabricate-la-craiova.html

 

As you say, that statement is more than a year old and is now of little value since Ford has changed its strategy.

Whilst most of us on this forum love our B Maxes, there are insufficient likeminded punters to warrant the continuation of the model.

Whilat I dont want the B Max to be discontinued, there is no econo.ic case to keep producing it if there is insufficient demand.

That said, demand is i trinsically linked to price, and in this respect a price shift could improve sales and it should be borne in mind that production costs in Romania are lower than the rest of Europe.Edited by: cianpars

 

Fiesta active looks good. I think most models are either facelifted after 5 yrs or something else...so makes sense If Bmax production is from Sep 2012 - 17. Plus the interior design is getting old, based on the 09 Fiesta I think...by the way the Ecosport is one of the worst cars I've seen in recent years. Pure marketing but cheap inside and ungainly.

 

Yes, I have also contacted my dealer and the B-Max will finish by September and be replaced by an upgraded Ecosport - ugly thing. I tried to order the last one produced, but apparently that's not possible. The new Fiesta Active will be nothing like the B-Max. It just sits a bit higher than the normal, new Fiesta.
I was also told that the C-Max will not be far behind in finishing again to be replaced by an upgraded Kuga.
So bad news all round for the Max's.

 

http://forfordlovers.com/2018-ford-b-max/
"
A while ago rumors suggested the car was going to be discontinued but
it seems this is not going to be the case. Instead it will likely
receive an update with the 2018 Ford B-Max. This update is aimed at the
car's interior and powertrain which are both in desperate need of some
attention"

 

Ford will have to get the pricing right too as the high end b max is a tad on the expensive side. Good news that it is being continued though and the upgrades seem sensible.

 

The word with Ford dealers is that there is a new Fiesta range mid 2018 and there will be a variant to replace the Bmax. They seemed pretty certain.

 

Even though I BELIEVE the B-MAX production isn't planned to be stopped yet, I also don't believe a single assumption of those who write "forfordlovers"!..
I asked Ford an year ago of anything about SYNC 3 and 6th gear and the same type of back breaks as those at front weels for this car... I was treated as a... dreamer.

So I think, if there's going to be an improvement, it will not reach any of those unless the price will get close to that of a C-MAX! :-?

P. s. Iwould have found it very useful the opening of the tailgate by moving the foot under the back of the car, for example. :>

 

I would be really surprised if a Fiesta Active and a Bmax are still produced together as there would be a lot of shared functionality. From a sales perspective it would make sense to drop the Bmax nameplate and replace it with a Fiesta variant instead, thus potentially increasing sales for the Fiesta brand. This has happened before when the 4 door Orion nameplate was dropped and renamed the 4 door Escort allowing Ford to claim more sales under the Escort brand. This is not to suggest that production would be moved from Craiova. Skelly.

 

I am sure with the sales of the B-Max standing as they are, constant layoffs and production halts at the factory and the new Fiesta Active and Ecosport on the way production of the B-Max will end.

What that will do to residuals is I would imagine drop hugely.

 

Just been to have a look at the new Fiesta with a view to getting one in the not too distant future from a Ford owned dealer. while I was there I quizzed him on the future of the B-Max, from what he has learnt is that there was talk about the B-Max being discontinued, however this seems to have been put on the back burner for a while.It would seem that all cars in that group are in decline sales wise with the exception of the Fiat 500L so
the general feeling is that when the new Fiesta Active (he tells me it will be more of a B type vechicle than a convential Fiesta) hits the showrooms next year that will be time when Ford make the final call on production assuming that the Active sells well and causes the B-Max sales to plummet even further.
So it looks like we will be able to carry on buying B's for the next twelve months at least.


Cheers John

Edited by: John TS

 

So the b max has been in production for 5 years and will probably continue for another year. A 6 year production run is a reasonable time.

Fiesta mk7 was in production from about 2008 to 2017, which is 9 years, but it did have a facelift along the way.

Ive usually got around half of what i paid after 4/5 years, but the b max might depreciate a little more.

Planning to have a look at the new Fiesta next week if i can find the time, just because im interested in looking at anything new. but im guessing that my next car willeither be a fiesta or an active in a few years time. I've seen a few videos on youtube and i love the new infotainment system.Edited by: cianpars

 

Availability or cost of any carryover parts from Fiesta will also be considered in deciding the future of the B max as it may become simply too costly to build if demand drops off. Also, it is too early to worry about values dropping as some cars buck the trend when a new model is introduced. I had a Jaguar X-type that actually increased slightly in value when the new model was introduced. Mind you it was 7 years old at the time !!.

 

today was announced officially by the factory that the production of B-Max will be discountinued in first part of september

https://www.auto-bild.ro/headline/adio-b-max-126534.html

 

Yep, now officially confirmed:

Ford of Romania officially confirmed the news today, announcing that the B-Max will be discontinued at the beginning of September 2017. The EcoSport that will be built in Craiova is intended for European markets. For the U.S.-spec 2018 Ford EcoSport, the small-scale crossover will be sourced by the Ford Motor Company from its India-based Chennai plant.


https://www.autoevolution.com/news/suv-frenzy-b-max-killed-to-make-room-for-2018-ford-ecosport-119388.html

 

Perhaps it is due to the faults that owners have experienced where the car just cuts out with no warning. See posts relating to this. Today it happened to me with my two grandchildren aged two and four on a major A road in Norfolk. It just died with no warning. The second time in three months and both after just leaving a roundabout on busy main roads. There is something seriously wrong here. Perhaps Ford need to check out this fault. I have the 1.0 eco boost, purchased new in 2013 and out of warranty. They put it down to the fuel pump first time it happened and it cost me nearly £600 needless to say I am not paying for any repairs this time as it was a carbon copy incident.Edited by: Hilaryhan

 

Now looking forward to owning a classic, because few cars are ever spoken of in such terms whilst still in production.

And that's shocking, Hilary. In a perfect world, you'd get an apology from Ford for selling you a vehicle which has twice put you and your passengers in danger, and they would replace your car with a brand new model without quibble. Oh, for a perfect world.

 

I do love my B Max so I would certainly hope the problem has been fixed permanently. I enjoy driving it, trouble is, when something like this happens and there is no warning its a bit scary!
They gave me the new Fiesta as a courtesy vehicle whilst they tried to work out what had happened for the second time! Apparently it was a 'chafed' wire this time, under the air filter....... Funny how it was a carbon copy of what had happened the first time, where they replaced the fuel pump at great expense to me!
I believe they missed the chafed wire first time and thought they had fixed it. I will be wording a very strong letter to Ford's head office as I want my money back for the fuel pump!

I really do not like the Fiesta any more than I did when I was choosing a new car. You feel soooo low down and it's uncomfortable. No power either, I have the Eco Boost B Max and its great for overtaking or when you just need that extra boost.

Got it back yesterday and so far, running well. I hope they have fixed it as I am taking my daughter and her son to Heathrow on Monday to catch a plane to India!